This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Aelfgifu of York Queen Consort England was born to [her father] Thored Northumbria.
On 18th March 978 King Edward I of England [aged 16] was murdered at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map] when visiting his younger half-brother [her future husband] Æthelred [aged 12] and his [Æthelred's] mother [her future mother-in-law] Aelfthryth [aged 33]. He was buried in Wareham, Dorset [Map] without ceremony. His half brother Æthelred succeeded II King of England.
Around 985 King Æthelred II of England [aged 19] and Aelfgifu of York Queen Consort England were married. She by marriage Queen Consort England. She the daughter of Thored Northumbria. He the son of King Edgar I of England and Aelfthryth Queen Consort England [aged 40].
Around 990 [her son] King Edmund "Ironside" I of England was born to [her husband] King Æthelred II of England [aged 24] and Aelfgifu of York Queen Consort England. He married 1015 Ealdgyth Unknown and had issue.
Between 991 and 1001 [her son] Æthelstan Ætheling Wessex, [her daughter] Unamed Wessex Abbess Wherwell, Wulfhilda Wessex, Aelfgifu Wessex, Eadgyth or Edith Wessex, Edgar Ætheling Wessex, Eadwig Ætheling Wessex and Eadred Ætheling Wessex were born to King Æthelred II of England [aged 25] and Aelfgifu of York Queen Consort England.
In or before 1002 [her son] Ecgberht Ætheling Wessex was born to [her husband] King Æthelred II of England [aged 35] and Aelfgifu of York Queen Consort England. He died aged three point zero zero zero zero one nine nine nine nine nine nine nine nine three in 1005.
In 1002 [her husband] King Æthelred II of England [aged 36] and Emma aka Ælfgyfu of Normandy Queen Consort England [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort England. She the daughter of Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and Gunnora Countess Ponthieu. He the son of King Edgar I of England and [her mother-in-law] Aelfthryth Queen Consort England [aged 57].
Around 1002 Aelfgifu of York Queen Consort England died.
On 23rd April 1016 [her former husband] King Æthelred II of England [aged 50] died. His son Edmund [aged 26] succeeded I King of England although the Witan meeting at Southampton chose King Cnut of England [aged 21].